Getting Rid of Fruit Flies in Boise

Have you noticed more bugs inside your Boise home this fall? Do you find yourself constantly swatting at gnat like flies around your head? Fall is a time that many bugs are “moving in” to your home because of the warmth it provides. Fruit flies are no exception. Here is everything you need to know about fruit flies, including how to effectively get rid of them.

Fruit Fly Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Are Fruit Flies?

Fruit flies are those annoying black or tan flies that seem to take over our kitchens as they buzz around and land wherever they please. They are tiny flies, about 1/8 inch long, and they are usually flying around your kitchen, especially near produce stored on the counter.

Physical features of a fruit fly include:

• Tan to brownish-yellow bodies.
• Bright red eyes, though some have black eyes.
• Feathery antenna.
• Translucent wings.
• White, worm-like larvae with black mouth hooks.

Where will I find fruit flies?

The foods we consume regularly attract fruit flies. Fruit flies can't resist fruits, veggies, and sweet drinks. Therefore they are common pests in our kitchens, outdoor eating areas, and gardens. Fruit flies also hang out around sinks as they snack and breed on the debris that collects in drains. Storing your produce in the refrigerator and keeping your home and kitchen clean are some of the best defenses against fruit flies.

Why do I have a fruit fly problem?

Fruit flies have the potential to pop up in a home any time of the year, but the summer and fall seasons are when these pests are most problematic for people. Fruit flies are most prolific during the harvest season when there is plenty of ripe and decaying fruits and vegetables for them to eat. If you have gardens or fruit trees, make sure you are harvesting often and picking up any fruits or vegetables that may have fallen on the ground.

A single female fruit fly can lay 500 eggs in her very short lifetime. Fruit flies only live for about one week. In the right conditions, fruit fly eggs develop into new adult fruit flies in one to two weeks, allowing for populations of these pesky pests to explode in a short time.

Fruit flies can move inside of a Boise home on their own through open windows or doors or torn screens. They also regularly find their way inside on produce purchased from the store that is already contaminated with fruit fly eggs or larvae. Make sure to wash produce after you bring it home. 

How do I get rid of fruit flies?

Get rid of fruit flies fast with the help of the pest professionals at Averse Pest Control. No one enjoys being in their kitchen when they are constantly trying to swat away tiny, pesky flies.

We know how frustrating fruit flies can be, and we want to help. We offer fast response times and effective, eco-friendly pest control solutions. Our professionals will work with you to customize our services to meet your individual needs and ensure that we completely solve your pest problems. 

If you need to get rid of fruit flies from your Boise home or commercial property, choose to call the local professionals at Averse Pest Control!

How can I prevent fruit flies in the future?

Prevent problems with fruit flies by partnering with Averse Pest Control and by implementing the following prevention tips:

• Before bringing produce home, inspect it at the store for signs of fruit flies.
• Once you get back home from the grocery store, make sure to wash all of your produce thoroughly
• Store fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator instead of out in the open on counters.
• After finishing a meal, immediately remove all leftover food and drinks.
• Remove trash from your home regularly. Make sure both indoor and outdoor trash cans have lids on them.
• Routinely clean out and sanitize trash cans and recycling bins.
• Replace or wash dishcloths, sponges, and mops that harbor debris and moisture that fruit flies can use as a breeding site.
• Clean out sink drains to make sure debris is not collecting within them.
• Pick up fallen fruits or vegetables from garden areas.